I installed Google Earth and had the same problem you did. I tried running Google Earth from a terminal to figure out what was happening and it turned out that my video card wasn't good enough. If you run "googleearth" in a terminal (w/o the quotes) I think it will tell you what it needs. (pixel shader support, 3D capability... something like that)

stretchedthin, Thank you for the link. Honestly, much of the terminology is foreign to me, but I guess I have to buy a video card that works for Linux. I suppose I can buy one from a computer store? Please forgive my ignorance and thank you for your time again.

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” ~ Albert Einstein

I'm by no means an expert on that card but I read a bit of that thread I attached above and it does not sound positive. I have used both ati cards and nvidia cards in the past. Nvidia is commonly considered a safer bet, but I am getting outstanding performance out of my ati machine.

Vector is very good at setting up drivers for ati or nvidia as well. It is also quite easy to upgrade or install a driver yourself. I have a tut for that kind of thing on the OSB site.You can get cards for pretty cheap now a days if you shop around some. Tigerdirect and ebay can offer real bargains.You are going to need to know if your machine is setup for a pci, agp, or pci-express type card. (Knowing that will ensure the card you buy will be the right fit for the slots in your machine.)Before you buy a card you find and like, just check the card model number against the available linux drivers on whichever site is appropriate Nvidia's or ati'sNvidia driver search toolati driver search tool

stretchedthin, Thank you for the link. Honestly, much of the terminology is foreign to me, but I guess I have to buy a video card that works for Linux. I suppose I can buy one from a computer store? Please forgive my ignorance and thank you for your time again.

Hey, no worries. Those were good questions. Also Google's just the tip of the iceburg. After you get a good Video card you can play with Compiz-fusion, maybe twin view some monitors, or xinerama.